Standard tournament preview
A staple of the Niagara sporting scene makes its return next week with 16 teams chasing the title of Standard High School Basketball Tournament champions.
“As we head into the 57th year of our tournament, I realize more than ever the basketball community is truly a group of individuals who love to give back,” tournament co-chair John Pilling said.
Last year, the tournament awarded $6,500 in bursaries to nine student athletes, including tournament MVP Tyrell MacLennan from St. Francis, who is now a member of the Brock men’s team.
“Tyrell’s just an amazing young man, always quick to greet and talk to fellow players, committee members and coaches,” Pilling said. “It’s really about kids like him; all the amazing stories of the first 56 years and the new chapters to be written.”
There are few sporting moments in Niagara like championship night at the Standard tournament.
“It’s a special time of the year and a truly electric week,” Pilling said. “Thanks you so much to Kully’s for returning as title sponsor.
“I can hardly wait for the action to begin.”
The tournament opens Monday with afternoon games at Governor Simcoe, Holy Cross, Thorold and E.L. Crossley followed by games Tuesday at 6 and 7:30 p.m. at Governor Simcoe, St. Francis and Eden and Denis Morris. After an off day Wednesday the tournament shifts to Ridley College for games at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. As is tradition, the championship games will be played Friday at St. Catharines with the consolation final tipping off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the championship game at 7:45
The top six seeds in order are defending champion St. Francis, Governor Simcoe, Blessed Trinity, Denis Morris, Centennial and E.L. Crossley.
Below are summaries of the teams in the tournament as per information provided by the coaches:
BLESSED TRINITY THUNDER
Number of returning players: Two.
Key returning players: Zinan Ahmed, Robbie O’Donnell.
Key newcomers: Josh Ens, Noah Monteforte, Cole Arnold, Lucas Cino, Filip Gagacev.
Strengths: Team offence; fast break.
Weaknesses: Ball movement and distribution.
CENTENNIAL COUGARS
Number of returning players: Five.
Key returning players: Jorden Brewster, Jack Halladay, Anthony Perna, Reese Radobenko, Nick Yioldassis.
Key newcomers: Jackson McNeil, Jonah Preston, Ryan Stark.
Strengths: Hustle; team defence; work ethic; shooting.
Weaknesses: Lack of in-game experience.
DENIS MORRIS REDS
Number of returning players: Seven.
Key returning players: Noah Honsberger, Zubeer Liban, Micahel Cassidy and Michael Conlon.
Key newcomers: Thomas Davidson and Nathan Charette.
Strength: Club level experience.
Weakness: Depth.
EDEN FLYERS
Number of returning players: Four.
Key returning players: PG Charlie Edgar; C Ryan Ghosh.
Key newcomers: G Luke Reinaerts, F Carter McMaster, G Peter Pilling and F Ashton Nieuwets.
Strength: Defence.
Weakness: Inexperience at senior level.
E.L. CROSSLEY CYCLONES
Number of returning players: Four.
Key returning players: Josh Lahn, Ethan Mergl, Hayden Milan, Duriel Bell.
Key newcomers: Jason Carter, Aiden Belding, Hye-Jun Song, Eli Taylor, Carter Teal.
Strength: Athleticism.
Weakness: Communication.
GOVERNOR SIMCOE REDCOATS
Number of returning players: Four.
Key returning players: Cal Andersen, Steve Christie, Darren Johnston and Mason MacEachern.
Key newcomers: Duncan Belliveau, Deryck Burke, Max Grant, Victor Hayes, Mitch McPherson and Andrew Scott.
Strengths: Depth; speed; ball movement; shooting.
Weakness: Some youth with lack of experience.
GREATER FORT ERIE GRYPHONS
Number of returning players: Four.
Key returning players: Austin Ladouceur, Ethan Vanatter, Donovan Morgan and Riley Mitchell.
Key newcomers: Micah Stewart, Avery Parker and Zack Tyrell.
Strengths: Speed; shooting.
Weaknesses: Size; rebounding.
HOLY CROSS RAIDERS
Number of returning players: Four.
Key returning players: Adrian Waszak, Tinashe Dandato, Isaiah Amio, Ibukun Gbengabanjo.
Key newcomer: Reuben Eshuis.
Strengths: Unselfish play; teamwork.
Weaknesses: Communicating on defence; finishing around the rim.
LAURA SECORD PATRIOTS
Number of returning players: Four.
Key returning players: Evan Craig; Josh Ramnarain; Keifer Sonnenberg.
Key newcomers: Ayden Ross; Deondrea Beufort; Lucas Davidson; Coby Capra; Sam Pynn; Sam Nkomo.
Strengths: Speed; shooting accuracy.
Weakness: Lack of height.
LAKESHORE CATHOLIC GATORS
Number of returning players: Six.
Key returning players: Nick Qua, Aidan Plante and Allan Pambianco.
Key newcomers: Samuel Beifuss, Thomas Cryer and Ben Shoalts.
Strengths: Aggressive; hard working on defence; good individual skill level but have to play as a team.
Weaknesses: Inexperience handling pressure in tight games; dealing with many new concepts from new coaches.
NIAGARA CHRISTIAN NAVIGATORS
Number of returning players: Five.
Key returning players: Neil Wangler, David Lai and Rock B. Laniyi
Key newcomers: Victor Olukayode and Dayo Williams.
Strengths: Team depth and unity; balanced scoring; ability to run the floor; physical.
Weaknesses: Big game experience; outside shooting; dominant big man.
RIDLEY COLLEGE TIGERS
Number of returning players: Eight.
Key returning players: Kenneth Aneabonam, Kiano Heath, Alula Hilawe, Jaden Kidd, Afam Akaraiwe and A.J. Adeyemi
Key newcomers: Daniel Jude-Moyne, Henry Song, Nolan Crawford, Namdi Chibuzor and Sisan Tuedor.
Strengths: Team play; quick on offence and stingy on defence.
Weakness: Streaky outside shooting that is rounding into form.
ST. CATHARINES COLLEGIATE SAINTS
Number of returning players: Seven.
Key returning players: Clayton Thomas-Harris, Sheldon Brown, Nathan Taylor, Ethan Taylor, Jerrell Plumadore, Justin Crawford, Nicholas Sindinghan.
Key newcomers: Tykree Llewellyn, Joseph Waterman, Jahmar Kenendy-Clarke.
Strengths: Great team offence and team first approach; strong on the ball defence.
Weaknesses: Lack of patience and rushing the game instead of letting the game come to us.
ST. FRANCIS PHOENIX
Key returning players: Sam Braithwaite, Igor M’Baya, Cam Van Hezewyk.
Key newcomers: Quinton Duemo, Sacade Kasamba, Conner Landell.
Strengths: Size; athleticism.
Weakness: Inexperience.
THOROLD GOLDEN EAGLES
Number of returning players: Seven.
Key returning players: Colton Spencer, Braydon Harrietha, Yvan Canlas, Devon Maltby, Elijah Patcheson and Cameron Klassen.
Key newcomers: Evence Danave, Jack Yarnell, Nathan Brew, Andrew Wing, Matt Literovich, Noah Huisman and Josh Lamarre.
Strengths: Experience; deep bench.
Weaknesses: Height; speed; shooting.
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL BULLDOGS
No information was available at time of posting.
